Sven Goran Eriksson has denied that Leicester City will make an audacious attempt to sign David Beckham.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has twice joined Milan on loan during the MLS close season and it has been rumoured he could be on the move again in the new year.

Leicester have recently been taken over by the Thai-based consortium Asia Football Investments and the ambitious owners have been linked with a move for Beckham.

Eriksson knows Beckham well, having worked with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player during his five years as England manager.

The Swede does not believe Beckham would play for a Championship club, but joked that the door at the Walkers Stadium would always be open for the 35-year-old.

"The story should be killed at once because it will not happen," Eriksson said yesterday. "There is nothing in it, but I can tell you that if David wants to come here to play football, then he is more than welcome. If he wants to come, then come. But I doubt that he wants to play in the Championship.

"I haven't spoken to him for a long time but I can easily do that, but I know the answer. I doubt that he is going to go on loan because last year there was a lot of criticism from fans and things like that."

Asked if Leicester's new owners, who have already sanctioned moves for four new players since Eriksson's arrival, are looking to sign a big-name player in the January transfer window, the Foxes manager added: "We will see.

"We want to play Premier League football as soon as possible – next season if we can. I know the owners are prepared in January to do what they have to."